Koch Membrane Systems Launches Largest Ever RO Element

Responding to a worldwide increase in the size of desalination plants and end-user demand for an even more efficient spiral element, Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. has introduced the world's largest reverse osmosis (RO) element, the Fluid Systems MegaMagnum.

The MegaMagnum, a 17 x 60-inch spiral element, contains more than 2,400 square feet of membrane surface area. "With this element, customers can install reverse osmosis and nanofiltration systems that achieve space savings of up to 15 percent, require fewer manifolds and pressure vessels, and cut capital and civil works costs by more than 20 percent," said Steve Cappos, director of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration sales for Koch Membrane.

The MegaMagnum element is designed for seawater desalination and brackish water purification applications. "The economies of scale offered by an element of this size make it an affordable option in large and medium-scale municipal plant projects," Cappos said.

Historically, the most common size spiral wound element has been an 8 x 40-inch product that contains up to 440 square feet of membrane surface area.

In the 1980s, Fluid Systems introduced the Magnum, an 8 x 60-inch long element. In recent years, KMS has sold more than 300 15-inch-diameter elements for various research projects worldwide.

The new MegaMagnum is a natural extension of these custom-built applications, explained Cappos. "The trend, particularly on large-scale desalination plants, has been for larger, more efficient spiral elements that offer considerable savings on space, capital and operating costs. The MegaMagnum gives KMS significant advantage in the world water-treatment market."

Koch Membrane can incorporate all its reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes into the MegaMagnum configuration to suit a customer's needs, said Cappos. The membrane flow rates and data specifications have recently been added to ROPRO, the system-design software from the company.